Executive Summary

It was a special treat for our group at OUTstanding to be host to several parents and special guests on the evening of April 8th for a Parent Appreciation Reception. I'd like to extend special thanks to:

-David & Kathryn who set up such a nice spread of snacks and drinks, that helped to make everyone comfortable among their new friends.
-Shannon Kuster and Karla from the Amarillo Police Department spoke to the youth and parents about proper procedures for harassment on school property and other concerns.
-Elaine Vivens from Campfire USA sat in on the discussion, recognizing that many of the youth in their programs suffer from the isolation and depression imposed by questioning their orientation or gender identity and having no one to turn to.
-Barbara Whitton from St. Andrews Episcopal Church spoke briefly in hopes to encourage parents to find the place in their heart to love and support their children while struggling with their religious beliefs about homosexuality.
-Paul Brown, life coach was also listening in and has decided to offer his services to parents for free on behalf of OUTstanding.

It was an especially great experience for me because it was my mother's birthday. She drove all the way in from Shamrock Texas to attend the event and had lots of nice things to say. I'm glad everyone got to meet my mom, she's the greatest.

Parents of lgbt children young and old shared their stories of fear, faith, coming out for their kids and for themselves. There were parents of kids from schools all over Amarillo, Canyon, and Bushland (yes there are queers there too). Many of the parents seemed concerned about similar issues. Most of them asked what they could do to help make a difference. I hope some of them will consider attending PFLAG on the first Tuesdays of each month and together they can decide how they can make a difference.

How many times have you heard, "It's not my opinion, but you know, that's just the way it is around here" from some sweet, well-meaning person when forced to project a socially assumed opinion of homosexuals? Or, even better, "I don't agree with THAT lifestyle, but I think they should be allowed . . .".

Well, I'm tired of it. I was in a meeting today with 20 or so community orgainzation leaders for the purpose of resolving local issues of underage drinking, smoking, etc.. I have long enjoyed the refreshing support I experience in this particular group.

One of the topics today was about the North Amarillo Task Force needing volunteers for their clean up project scheduled for April 8th. I had listened to their 3rd party plea for assistance long enough when I finally had to chime in and say, "NO, they don't really need help all that bad, because they have declined the offer of the OUTstanding Youth Volunteer Team." I shared with them the conversation you may have read on my previous blog-blurt about the phone call telling us that "they can't really afford to be associated with PEOPLE LIKE US, now that they have AISD and the Boy Scouts involved."

This was the same lady that said, "It's not my personal opinion, but you know how it is around here." "It's just like we can't let that guy from the karate place help since he's been convicted of indecency with a child". I did take the opportunity today to remind the group that gay/lesbian did not equal indecency with a child.

The group was appauled at the unwillingness of the Task Force to accept our offer, and the conversation was light, funny, but most important very supportive and several in the group offered some helpful future assistance.

Anyway, a bit later in the meeting we were discussing the need to have our chairperson available for contact during daytime hours. A lady from the back made the following statement, "You know, it's just like if Bekki, not that I agree with that lifestyle, but if she needed to get in touch with someone, they need to be available."

I am speechless

It is unfortunate that I am excited about this announcement, but we do still live in the real world. We have just added a link on our homepage to a GLBT Harassment Report Form. This report is to be used for any form of glbt harassment you incur or observe.

Some people are of the opinion that taunting and harassment makes us stronger as individuals, but sometimes it serves as a barrier to education, employment, and overall quality of life. Many of us have learned to 'tolerate' injustices from others, accepting the idea that that's just "how it is". But "how it is" just isn't really good enough anymore.

Our idea is that we can't really do much about it until we open a dialog about it. The next time someone tells you, "that's just how it is around here", ask them "why must it stay that way?"

It can be different, and we are making a difference with every Community Conversation we open. The details of the Report Form will be held completely confidential until given any authority or consent to speak on your behalf, but sharing your stories and experiences will help to justify the work we do.

We will not be able to offer support to each individual who reports an incident, but it will help us to better recognize the current state of affairs in our community. Let others know about this form. There is a date field in the form for you to also let us know about incidents that may have happened in the past.

Your participation is crutial and appreciated. Please keep this form in mind anytime you feel that you've been treated offensively based on your sexual orientation or gender identity.

Representatives from OUTstanding attended the Amarillo Independent School Board meeting this week. We took advantage of the 3 minute public comment portion of the agenda.

Tony shared some details about his personal story that ultimately resulted in him leaving the public school system and obtaining his education through home schooling. I shared 3 minutes worth of local and national statistics.

There is no option for feedback or dialog about the public comments, so we really don't know how it went. But we know we have some supporters on the school board and maybe inspired some thought among them all.

I've got to be honest, I really had myself worked up and nervous about this, but Tony helped me by not letting his anxiety show. It really turned out to be nothing and I'm so glad that we followed through with it.

Folks from the Unitarian Fellowship organized a public discussion forum on glbt topics. There were about 45 people in attendance. Everyone seemed to have been inspired by the discussion. 3 local students shared their stories about being gay and surviving high school. Some of their stories were bleak, but the discussion was hopeful.

I hope we'll be able to participate in more public discussions in the future.

CCPIT is the Community Coalition for Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment for Tobacco, Alcohol, and Other Drugs. CCPIT's focus is on underage drug & alcohol usage in the Amarillo area. OUTstanding joined this coalition because statistics reflect that glbt youth engage in a higher rate of 'high risk' behavior than non-glbt youth. We want to participate in the solutions that this coalition may provide and ensure that glbt youth are accounted for in the discussions.